Questions, Statements, and Debate

The Deputy Speaker:
We need to move on to questions and comments as the time has expired for the member's speech.

I will go first to the member for Mississauga South.

Ms. Irene Mathyssen (London—Fanshawe, NDP):

Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time with my colleague, the member for Burnaby—Douglas.

On March 3, the country listened to a less than inspiring Speech from the Throne. The throne speech was a prelude to yet another disappointing document, the budget of the Conservative government, a budget that promised little to hard-working Canadians and even less to women.

Mr. Speaker, following the last meeting with G8 leaders, the Prime Minister announced that women and children’s health must be a priority.

Ms. Irene Mathyssen (London—Fanshawe, NDP):

Madam Speaker, I was quite taken by the discussion my colleague presented to the House in regard to the need for infrastructure and investment and the irony of corporate tax cuts.

It would seem to me that no corporation, no matter where, can function, be profitable or establish itself without the support of the community.

Ms. Irene Mathyssen (London—Fanshawe, NDP):

Hansard Record, House of Commons, December 8, 2009

Mrs. Carol Hughes (Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing, NDP):

Madam Speaker, before I ask a question of my colleague, I want to read a letter from one of my constituents, Carole Lalonde, from Elliot Lake.

She says:

Hope U are fighting for us NOT to have HST in Ontario. It may help the Ontario gov't, but it sure would NOT help us, the seniors, and lower income people. This is going to cost us an additional 8% on so much, and our income stays the same. I don't hear of any plans to increase our pensions, and we could sure use it. Everyone gets a raise except the ones that need it the most.

My colleague spoke about pensions and she spoke quite eloquently about the needs of women. Could she maybe speak a little more on that and respond to the fact that too many seniors live in poverty,

Mr. Jim Maloway (Elmwood—Transcona, NDP):

Madam Speaker, I note the member pointed out that she had an outpouring of support from her constituents for her position against the HST. She is backed up in that by the Ipsos Reid Canwest News survey just out yesterday, which shows a whopping 74% of the people in Ontario are against this tax.

Hansard Record, House of Commons December 8th Ms. Irene Mathyssen (London—Fanshawe, NDP): Madam Speaker, I would like to share my time with the member for Sault Ste. Marie.

I believe it is essential for me to speak today, on behalf of my constituents, against this insidious new tax. I say this because when it became clear that the party in power was determined to inflict a new tax on the people of Ontario and British Columbia, I sent out a mailing to the residents of London—Fanshawe. I asked them what they thought of the HST, the new tax that Conservatives and Liberals plan to enact on July 1, their gift to Ontario and British Columbia on Canada Day.

I communicate quite regularly with my constituents and they respond in significant numbers. We have a good dialogue, and I always appreciate hearing from them.

However, the response to the HST survey was astounding. I received hundreds and hundreds of mail-backs, emails and letters. I have never had such a response.

Ms. Irene Mathyssen (London—Fanshawe, NDP): Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to ask the minister a couple of questions.

I want to begin by assuring him that New Democrats all across the country are profoundly concerned about taxes that are being downloaded onto consumers in order to give yet more tax breaks to multinational and profitable corporations.